feather

one of the horny structures forming the principal covering of birds, consisting typically of a hard, tubular portion attached to the body and tapering into a thinner, stemlike portion bearing a series of slender, barbed processes that interlock to form a flat structure on each side.

feather

/ˈfɛðə/

noun

1.

any of the flat light waterproof epidermal structures forming the plumage of birds, each consisting of a hollow shaft having a vane of barbs on either side. They are essential for flight and help maintain body temperature

2.

something resembling a feather, such as a tuft of hair or grass

3.

(archery)

a bird's feather or artificial substitute fitted to an arrow to direct its flight

the feathered end of an arrow, opposite the head

4.

a strip, spline, or tongue of wood fitted into a groove

5.

the wake created on the surface of the water by the raised periscope of a submarine

6.

(rowing) the position of an oar turned parallel to the water between strokes Compare square (sense 8)

7.

a step in ballroom dancing in which a couple maintain the conventional hold but dance side by side

8.

condition of spirits; fettle: in fine feather

9.

something of negligible value; jot: I don't care a feather

10.

birds of a feather, people of the same type, character, or interests

11.

feather in one's cap, a cause for pleasure at one's achievements: your promotion is a feather in your cap

12.

(Irish) not take a feather out of someone, not knock a feather out of someone, to fail to upset or injure someone: it didn't take a feather out of him

verb

13.

(transitive) to fit, cover, or supply with feathers

14.

(rowing) to turn (an oar) parallel to the water during recovery between strokes, principally in order to lessen wind resistance Compare square (sense 41)

15.

(in canoeing) to turn (a paddle) parallel to the direction of the canoe between strokes, while keeping it in the water, principally in order to move silently

16.

to change the pitch of (an aircraft propeller) so that the chord lines of the blades are in line with the airflow

17.

(transitive) to join (two boards) by means of a tongue-and-groove joint

feather

Old English feðer "feather," in plural, "wings," from Proto-Germanic *fethro (cf. Old Saxon fethara, Old Norse fioþr, Swedish fjäder, Middle Dutch vedere, Dutch veder, Old High German fedara, German Feder), from PIE *pet-ra-, from root *pet- "to rush, to fly" (see petition (n.)). Feather-headed "silly" is from 1640s. Feather duster attested by 1858. Figurative use of feather in (one's) cap attested by 1734.

feather

v.

Old English fiðerian "to furnish with feathers or wings," from feðer (see feather (n.)). Meaning "to fit (an arrow) with feathers" is from early 13c.; that of "to deck, adorn, or provide with plumage" is from late 15c. In reference to oars (later paddles, propellers, etc.) from 1740. Phrase feather one's nest "enrich oneself" is from 1580s. Related: Feathered; feathering.

One of the light, flat structures that cover the skin of birds. A feather is made of a horny substance and has a narrow, hollow shaft bearing flat vanes formed of many parallel barbs. The barbs of outer feathers are formed of even smaller structures (called barbules) that interlock. The barbs of down feathers do not interlock. Evolutionarily, feathers are modified scales, first seen in certain dinosaurs.